New York City Continues to See Major Reductions in Crime in 2017

New York, New York—New York City experienced 661 fewer index crimes, or -7.6% in May 2017, compared with May 2016. This is the safest May in the history of the modern CompStat-era. This reduction in crime contributes to the 2,226 fewer overall index crimes year-to-date in New York City, compared with 2016, making the year-to-date reduction -5.6%.

For the month of May 2017, there were 7,988 overall index crimes reported, compared with 8,649 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 661 crimes, or -7.6%. There were 24 murders reported in May 2017, compared with 32 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 8 murders, or -25.0%. There were 121 rapes reported in May 2017, compared with 145 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 24 rapes, or -16.6%. There were 1,147 robberies reported in May 2017, compared with 1,266 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 119 robberies, or -9.4%. There were 1,763 felonious assaults reported in May 2017, compared with 1,815 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 52 felonious assaults, or -2.9%. There were 951 burglaries reported in May 2017, compared with 1,084 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 133 burglaries, or -12.3%. There were 3,537 grand larcenies reported in May 2017, compared with 3,749 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 212 grand larcenies, or -5.7%. There were 445 grand larceny autos reported in May 2017, compared with 558 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 113 grand larceny autos, or -20.3%. There were 67 shooting incidents reported in May 2017, compared with 86 in May 2016. This is a decrease of 19 shooting incidents, or -22.1%.

There were 211 crimes reported in the Transit Bureau in May 2017, compared with 209 in May 2016. This is an increase of 2 crimes, or +1.0%. There were 377 crimes reported in the Housing Bureau in May 2017, compared with 459 in May 2016. This is a reduction of 82 crimes, or -17.9%.

“The continued reductions in violence, shootings, and homicides is nothing short of extraordinary. These continued declines, even after last year’s record lows, is something I have never seen in my 35 year career in law enforcement,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “Together we are making this City even safer. And with the security summits in every neighborhood policing command this summer, we will be identifying crime, problems, and new concerns from the public, finding ways to make our neighborhoods even safer, together.”

“This month’s record-breaking reduction in shootings and significant decrease in homicides versus last May is nothing short of astounding. Police Commissioner O’Neill and the men and women of the NYPD truly set the gold standard in crime fighting for police departments around the country,” said Mayor de Blasio. “As we gear up for another summer in the City, I encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to take advantage of our parks – beautiful and treasured open spaces that remain some of the safest spots in the nation’s safest big city.”

Note: All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.